The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have declared that the arrest of top officials at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has validated their long-standing demand for a probe into the tenure of the former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
Their reaction followed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) recent arrests of senior NNPCL officials over alleged large-scale corruption.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, May 5, by Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary of the CNCSOs, the groups expressed dismay that Kyari was allowed to travel abroad while some of his subordinates are in custody.
They said: “Most shocking is the discovery of N80bn in the personal bank accounts of one of the sacked managing directors, as reported by credible media sources. If one individual could amass such illicit wealth, what more is hidden in the accounts of others in Kyari’s team?”
The statement noted that the EFCC detained the former managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri refineries over the alleged mismanagement of nearly $3 billion.
According to the groups, the funds were meant for rehabilitation works: $1.56bn for Port Harcourt Refinery, $740m for Kaduna, and $656m for Warri.
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They described the Port Harcourt project as “a monumental scam,” citing the expenditure of over $897 million with no visible result.
“The Nigerian government and public were deceived into celebrating emptiness. Today, independent reports confirm no fuel trucks are lifting products from the facility, confirming our earlier warnings,” they added.
Reacting to Kyari’s public comments about being accountable, they welcomed his willingness to explain his tenure.
“I served with the fear of God knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah,” Kyari had said.
But the groups insisted his actions contradict his words. “If Engr. Kyari truly fears God and is ready to account, then he must return immediately to face the EFCC probe. Hiding abroad contradicts his public declaration,” the statement read.
They also faulted security agencies for not restricting Kyari’s movement, calling it a failure that could damage public trust.
Finally, the CNPP and CNCSOs urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that no former member of the NNPCL leadership escapes justice, warning that the global community is watching closely.